In the Womb of the Rose -Cosmic Egg

The heart of the window is the centre panel of an egg which is deliberately nonfigurative and abstract. It is a representation of a Tantric Cosmic Egg from an ancient pre-Hindu tradition of China and India. These traditions gave a central place to the importance of sexuality as both metaphor and practice.

Tantra and the cosmic egg.

Tantric Egg
Rajasthan - 18th century
Gouache on Paper

Cosmic Egg - Detail
Stained Glass Panel
85cm diameter
D.A.Whitbread 2002

The cosmic egg of the Tantric tradition is the symbol of raw matter floating in chaos prior to be given form. The fertilized world egg on the left is divided into regions and currents of energy. The cosmos is represented here as potential in microcosm.

As an image of potential and hope the egg is seen in the Easter traditions of Christian countries. (A hangover from pre-christian pagan rituals - [see D.Hardy's goddess Eastre].) This form precedes gender distinctions.

Booklist

Chattopadhyaya,S. (1978) Reflections on the Tantras. Motilal Banarsidaas. Delhi

Jung,C.G. (1968) Man and His Symbols. Aldus Books London.

Rawson, P. (1973) Tantra - The Indian Cult of Ecstasy. Thames and Hudson: London